Mercaz Olami

Masorti Kibbutz Hannaton

Revitalization

Founded in 1983 as a Masorti kibbutz, Kibbutz Hannaton in the Lower Galilee, is presently undergoing a move to become a “kibbutz mitchadesh” (a revitalized kibbutz).

It will maintain some of the cooperative and social elements of the original kibbutz system, while implementing some fundamental changes including a differential salary system and home ownership. The kibbutz is committed to communal responsibility, social awareness, environmental conscientiousness and spiritual consciousness.

An energetic, committed group of twenty, mostly-young Israeli families have elected to join the now privatized kibbutz in the coming year or two, with plans to absorb an additional thirty families during the next few years. These families will live on Hannaton, but most will be employed in jobs outside of the kibbutz.

Location & name

Hannaton (in hebrew: חַנָּתֹן, חנתון‎) is located twelve kilometers north of Nazareth in the Galilee region. Kibbutz Hanaton lies to the west of Tel Hanaton, in the western end of the Beit Netofa Valley. The area of the Tel was occupied from the Bronze Age through to the Ottoman Empire (ie. from about the 34th century BC through to the beginning of the 20th century AD). Hannaton is also close to the northern slope of Lake Eshkol a 4.5 million m3 reservoir which Hanaton overlooks at the end of the Beit Netofa Canal. The entrance to the kibbutz is on the west side of route 784, which runs between the kibbutz on one side and the Tel and the lake on the other, and continues south through Yiftahel Junction to the Carrier Junction where highways 77 and 79 cross the National Water Carrier.

The biblical name Hannaton appears in the Book of Joshua (19:14), where it is listed as the area of the tribe of Zevulun, forming the border with the tribe of Asher’s area. The name appears in the Masoretic Text with a dagesh in the nun, which, by many transliteration standards, should be spelled in English with two n’s, thus Hannaton. However, in its early years, almost every English document spelled the name of the kibbutz as Hanaton, so both spellings are now common.

History

The Hannaton Educational Center

The Hannaton Educational Center was established in 1990 to provide Jewish educational programming and warm hospitality to the Masorti (Conservative) Israeli and Diaspora Jews. In 2008, the Center began a process of renewal broadening its original vision serving Jews from across the denominational spectrum. The Center promotes the engagement of individuals and groups with Jewish life through experiential education, dialogue and text study, spiritual retreats and contemplative practices for Israelis and Jews from around the world.

Since the revitalization of the Center significant accomplishments have been made to convey pluralistic Jewish and democratic values in a highly professional manner. We are now offering programs for various audiences. Age of Mitzvah program for middle school children, focusing on exploring Jewish values as part of preparing for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Tikkun Olam program for high school North American that wish to explore their approach toward Judaism and Israel. Peoplehood seminars that host groups of young Jews from around the world in programs addressing Jewish identity in today’s complex world. Galil Seminar for rabbinical students that offers a unique approach to Jewish Studies integrated with Zionism. Lastly, a year-long Mechina, a pre-army program for young Israelis about to be recruited into the Israeli army who are coming from all over Israel.

The Center is headed by Rabbi Yoav Ende, a charismatic Conservative rabbi, Hebrew University graduate in conflict resolutions who resides in Hannaton with his wife and four children. The board’s president of the Center is Prof. Yisrael Lee Levine, a world renowned historian and archeologists, specializing in the ancient synagogues of the Land of Israel.

The Center is growing fast and steady, the core and freelance staff have quadrupled in recent years. A master development plan and sketch for the Hannaton campus have been created and its execution has already started, as a new Mechina building opened its gates in July 2013.

Vision

The keystone of Kibbutz Hannaton is the integration of Jewish ritual and spiritual life, education, values, ecology, environment and Zionism. Through the scope and variety of activities in the community, members will be involved in a comprehensive and pluralistic community life based on living Masorti Judaism.

More information

To check out Kibbutz Hannaton’s new website in Hebrew and English, click here.

Kibbutz Hannaton has an short and informative movie in English. Click here to watch the movie.

Kibbutz Hannaton has been mentioned in the press in Israel and around the world. Click hereto see a list of articles about Hannaton.